On your 10-day excursion to Costa Rica, your tour guide will lead you inside Costa Rica's exquisite rain and cloud forests. More than 27 percent of Costa Rica's land is dedicated to national parks, forest reserves and Indian reservations. Close encounters with unique, colorful wildlife await you in the beautiful Costa Rican rainforests.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - San Jose

Your journey begins with a regularly scheduled flight to Costa Rica on an internationally recognized airline. Touch down in San José, the country’s capital. A Go Ahead representative will greet you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. Dinner is included upon your arrival.
Included meals: dinner.

Day 2 - San Jose

Begin your explorations of Costa Rica’s natural splendor with an excursion into the Orosi Valley, known for its beautiful views. As you travel throughout the countryside, note that Costa Rica is one of the world’s most progressive countries in its efforts to save the earth’s endangered rain forests. To date, 850 species of birds, 200 species of mammals and one-tenth of the world’s butterfly species have been found here.
Enter Lankester Gardens, an orchid reserve where 800 species of orchids are nurtured. Then visit Cartago and return to San José for the afternoon. Your tour director introduces you to the highlights of San José including the Gold Museum. Continue exploring the sights and sounds of San José at your leisure this evening or opt for a Folklore Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast.
Included entrances: Lankester Gardens, Gold Museum.

$49 CAD

Folklore Dinner Experience the unforgettable cuisine found only in a typical Costa Rican restaurant. Surrounded by mountains covered with tropical forest, the view from the restaurant offers a breathtaking view of the Central Valley. As you dine on a mixture of Spanish and Central American fare, admire a traditional dance show that’s accompanied by live music.

Day 3 - Sarapiqui

Moving in to Costa Rica’s central highlands, stop at the Doka Estate, a coffee plantation more than a century old. Here, the owners give you a tour of the farming, milling and delicate roasting process required to make some of the country’s best coffee. This afternoon, ascend to Poás Volcano National Park (weather permitting), home of one of the largest active volcanoes in Costa Rica. Visit the Butterfly Garden, which holds hundreds of butterfly species. Your tour director teaches you about the butterfly’s complex life cycle. Arrive later in Sarapiquí for an included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner.
Included entrances: Butterfly Garden.

Day 4 - Sarapiqui

Board a river boat cruise for our Sarapiquí River Adventure. Dinner is included tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner.

Day 5 - Arenal Region

On today’s morning hike in Arenal National Park, you’ll have more views of its mile-high volcano, which emerges in a perfect conical shape from the green hills of Alajuela. Arenal has been Costa Rica’s most active volcano peak for the past 1,000 years. In the afternoon, you can explore this cherished region even further with an optional Treetops Walk in the rainforest on the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a collection of suspended byways that connect tree to tree. This evening, relax with a visit to the local hot springs, which are fed by the natural healing waters of the Arenal Mountains.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner.
Included entrances: Eco Termales Hot Springs.

$49 CAD

Treetops Walk Take an informed trek through the treetops on Arenal’s hanging bridges, accompanied by a naturalist guide. In these 600 acres of protected rainforest, you will find six hanging bridges, the longest spanning 326 feet. You’ll discover Costa Rica’s numerous species of birds and mammals, see spectacular waterfalls and have stunning views of the majestic Arenal volcano.

Day 6 - Guanacaste

This morning, depart for Guanacaste. Along the way, you’ll tour Lake Arenal—one of the largest lakes in Costa Rica—and then take a relaxing rafting trip down the Corobicí River. You might catch glimpses of toucans, falcons, iguana and monkeys. Reach Guanacaste in time for tonight’s included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner.

Day 7 - Guanacaste

On a special excursion today, enjoy a visit to Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a rain/cloud forest located high in the mountains. Visit geothermal hot springs that recall those at Yellowstone National Park and view a wide variety of plant, bird and animal species. At the foot of the Southern flank of the volcano, you’ll find an area of intense volcanic activity known as Las Pailas which consists of hot springs, sulfuric lakes, steam geysers and reservoirs of boiling water. Return later to Guanacaste, where dinner is included.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner.

Day 8 - Guanacaste

Guanacaste is known for its spectacular beaches, from resort paradises to secluded coves. Spend a free day exploring the area on your own, or opt for a Sailing and Snorkeling Excursion. Dinner is included tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner.

$95 CAD

Sailing & Snorkeling From Tamarindo, embark on an unforgettable sailing voyage aboard a classic yacht. On your cruise  helmed by a crew of three, you’ll head out into Taramindo Bay to encounter turtles, jumping rays and dolphins. Equipment will be available if you want to snorkel.

Day 9 - Guanacaste

Enjoy another free day in Guanacaste. Relax on the beach or choose from any number of outdoor activities along the beach or inland. Tonight, enjoy a final dinner with your fellow travelers.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner.

Day 10 - Guanacaste

If you are not continuing on the extension to Tortuguero, a Go Ahead representative will escort you to the airport.
Included meals: breakfast (In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided).
Please note that local weather conditions may necessitate slight variations to this itinerary.

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 CAD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 CAD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 CAD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 CAD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Costa Rica, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. No visa is required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact the Costa Rican consulate for your particular entry requirements.

Health

Travelers should be reasonably fit (see “Walking on Tour” for more information). Take proper care for sun exposure.

There is also some risk of mosquito-born diseases, especially in the rainforests and national parks. Consult your doctor at least eight weeks prior to departure about possible preventive measures and personal travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Guanacaste (Liberia). Included transportation on “Costa Rican Rainforests” is by private motorcoach. Destinations on tour are all easily walkable, although some local buses may be available.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Your Costa Rican itinerary focuses on the outdoors, so your clothing should be casual and appropriate for outdoor use. Loose-fitting, layered clothing that can accommodate varying temperatures will probably be most comfortable. A sun hat, sunglasses, and a bathing suit are recommended. Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots are crucial. Occasional rain showers are common in the areas you will be visiting, so pack light rain wear. Binoculars are very useful for bird and animal-watching, along with a field guide if you are particularly interested in specifics about the different species you’ll spot. Insect repellent is highly recommended for visits to the rain forests.

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitter for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The Costa Rican colón is the currency you will be using on your tour, but U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. Better rates of exchange are usually
available at your destination rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take a combination of debit/bank cards and credit cards, which may be exchanged at local banks for cash as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.

We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Please note: It has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Costa Rica’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity.

We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalency of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalency of $2USD/CAD per local guide.

Tips can only be paid in cash.  Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.